Chapter # 5 Paragraph # 2 Study # 1
March 1, 2015
Dayton, Texas

• I. Wherefore (Instead of Therefore).
  • A. Robertson says almost nothing about the word Paul used here ( dio ) even though it is found in 52 texts of the New Testament.
    • 1. Matthew 27:28 is the only Matthean text (as opposed to 55 uses of "therefore') and, for this cause, it is instructive. Matthew says, "Wherefore that field was called The Field of Blood...". The word indicates that the word introduces a statement that is pertinent because of the prior statement(s) of the text.
    • 2. Paul only used this term once in his lengthy, first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 12:3, as opposed to 20 uses of "therefore"), and his use is consistent with the idea that Matthew puts forward: "wherefore" indicates information that is based upon the prior context.
    • 3. By contrast, Paul used this term three times in his relatively short, first letter to the Thessalonians.
  • B. The difference between "wherefore" and "therefore" seems to be this: "wherefore" introduces information that is dependent upon the preceding information, whereas "therefore" calls for a conclusion that is dependent upon the preceding information. Though occasionally the information being introduced is an exhortation (as is the case in our current text), it is not necessary that an exhortation follow; whereas calling for a conclusion is more necessarily hortatory.
• II. Summon One Another.
  • A. The verb is an imperative of the widely used "parakaleo" (one of the favorite words of Paul in this letter -- used eight times in five chapters as opposed to only six times in the sixteen chapters of 1 Corinthians).
  • B. A consideration of this verb in this place indicates that Paul intently intends that the Thessalonians address each other in terms of the great truth that we are not "destined" for wrath but the obtaining of salvation.
    • 1. At risk is the commendable behavior of the Thessalonians as outlined in 1:3; thus, they were to address any flagging of that behavior with a "parakalesis".
    • 2. The content of any "parakalesis" is actually outlined by Paul in the succeeding verse where he reveals what those who have been established "over you in the Lord" are supposed to be doing.
• III. Edify One Another.
  • A. The verb indicates a gradual "building" of some edifice (1 Peter 2:5). It is used widely in the New Testament both literally and metaphorically. A most interesting use is 1 Corinthians 8:10 where the issue is the "conscience" being "emboldened" in the sense of being desensitized.
    • 1. This process involves several issues...
      • a. A person "convicted" of something in a different way than another.
      • b. The "other's" argument for his/her point of view.
      • c. The "other's" persuasive behavior.
      • d. The "convicted" one's abandonment of his/her "conscience" before "faith" has settled in.
    • 2. The process most fundamentally involves the faith/love issues identified in 1:3.
  • B. Paul's exhortation is, apparently, intended to see that believers "build" each other as an on-going process.
• IV. Just As You Are Doing.
  • A. The Thessalonians are doing this, but Paul wishes to see more progress in the matter now that he has laid out the issues of "The Hope".
  • B. All new information has a place in building strength into weakness.
• V. Then a Turn Toward the Reality That Some Are More Advanced in the Faith Than Others.
  • A. There are those who are charged with the task at a greater level than "one, the other".
  • B. For their work to be accomplished, they have to have the confidence of those among whom they work/labor.